Published 5:30 am, Sunday, July 11, 2010

In the closest experience yet to a big-league atmosphere, Lyles shined brightly in the 12th annual All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, a 9-1 U.S victory over the World.

The hard-throwing, 6-foot-4 teenager trotted onto the field of Angel Stadium Sunday with a bright future ahead of him.

As the Astros’ lone representative in the minor-league showcase, Lyles did not disappoint. In one inning of relief, the hard-throwing 6-4 righthander needed just 15 pitches to work around a jam-shot single and struck out the final batter of the sixth inning.

The other two outs were a pop up to the shortstop and a groundout to first base in the sixth, setting up a 9-1 U.S victory over the World.

Memorable night

“I thought there might have been a little more butterflies,” Lyles said. “I was trying to take in the experience running onto the field. The big stadium, the big fans. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

“It’s a privilege to be here. I feel honored that the Astros selected me to represent them. It’s a great experience.

The brief look into what his career could look like on baseball’s biggest stage was validation for everything the 19-year-old has achieved this season.

Already planted in Class AA, Lyles was the Texas League’s All-Star Game winning pitcher and despite being the league’s second-youngest pitcher is among its leaders in strikeouts.

In a farm system that as been mocked recently for a lack of talent, the Astros have found some reprieve with gems like Lyles.

Last season it was catcher Jason Castro that represented the organization in the Futures Game, and today Castro calls Minute Maid Park home.

‘Just a matter of time’

Lyles appears to be on the same fast track to the major leagues.

His tender age has been anything but a hindrance in the process, and Houston’s assistant general manager and director of player development Ricky Bennett views his young stud as mature well beyond his years.

“His aptitude and ability to make adjustments make him special,” Bennett said from the stands. “Jordan is a big leaguer. It is just a matter of time.”

Wearing the Astros’ star for his cap instead of its minor league affiliates was a motivator for Lyles. The realization that his dream is not that far off fueled him through his one inning of relief.

“It gave me something to look forward to and keep me motivated,” he said.

“This was a humbling experienced and a great weekend, and we topped it off with a win.”

The young pitcher is one of the struggling Astros’ rebuilding pieces and Lyles knows it.

“Maybe next year I’ll get an invite (to the big leagues), but this will probably be the closest thing to it with the talent,” he said about the Futures Game.

“I’m one of those guys that doesn’t try to put too much stress on myself, and make it easy. So far things are going well.”

“Well,” is an understatement. The Texas League’s second-youngest pitcher has been so impressive this year Bennett alluded to the possibility Lyles could be bumped to Triple-A or even the big leagues this season.

“Who knows, we might have to challenge him before the end of the year, whether that is at the Triple-A level or major-league level because of how well he has performed,” Bennett said.

“(The Futures Game) validates what he’s been doing to this point and I think we’ll see a glimpse into (the Astros) future (Sunday).